two communications satellites ready for launch … · two communications satellites ready for...

1Follow the launch live on the internet broadbandat www.arianespace.com(starting 20 minutes before lift-off)

TWO COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES READY FOR LAUNCH

Arianespace will orbit two communications satellite on its fifth launch ofthe year: INTELSAT 17 for the international satellite operator Intelsat,and HYLAS 1 for the European operator Avanti Communications.

The choice of Arianespace by leading space communications operators andmanufacturers is clear international recognition of the company’s excellence inlaunch services. Based on its proven reliability and availability, Arianespacecontinues to confirm its position as the world’s benchmark launch system.

Ariane 5 is the only commercial satellite launcher now on the market capableof simultaneously launching two payloads.

Arianespace and Intelsat have built up a long-standing relationship based onmutual trust. Since 1983, Arianespace has launched 48 satellites for Intelsat.

Positioned at 66 degrees East, INTELSAT 17 will deliver a wide range ofcommunication services for Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia. Built bySpace Systems/Loral of the United States, this powerful satellite will weigh5,540 kg at launch. It will also enable Intelsat to expand its successful Asianvideo distrubution neighborhood. INTELSAT 17 will replace INTELSAT 702.

HYLAS 1 is Avanti Communications’ first satellite. A new European satelliteoperator, Avanti Communications also chose Arianespace to orbit its HYLAS 2satellite, scheduled for launch in the first half of 2012.

HYLAS 1 was built by an industrial consortium formed by EADS Astrium andthe Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), using a I-2K platform. Fittedwith Ka-band and Ku-band transponders, the satellite will be positioned at33.5 degrees West, and will be the first European satellite to offer high-speedbroadband services across all of Europe. HYLAS 1 will weigh 2,570 kg atlaunch, and has a design life exceeding 15 years.

1 - The ARIANESPACE mission2 - Range operations campaign: ARIANE 5 3 - Launch countdown and flight events4 - Flight Trajectory5 - The ARIANE 5 launch vehicle6 - The INTELSAT 17 satellite7 - The HYLAS 1 satellite

Appendix1. Flight Key personnel2. Launch environment conditions3. Synchronized sequence4. ARIANESPACE, its relations wich ESA and CNES

2For more information, visit us on www.arianespace.com

The 198th Ariane mission will place two communications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit:INTELSAT 17 for the international satellite operator Intelsat, and HYLAS 1 for the European operator AvantiCommunications.

This will be the 54th Ariane 5 launch.

The launcher will be carrying a total payload of 8,867 kg, including 8,069 kg for the INTELSAT 17 and HYLAS 1satellites, which will be released into their targeted orbits.

The launch will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.

Injection orbit

Perigee altitude 250 km

Apogee altitude 35,786 km at injection

Inclination 2° degrees

The lift-off is scheduled on the night of November 26 to 27, 2010 as soon as possible within the followinglaunch window:Launch opportunity

Universal time (GMT) Paris time Kourou time Washington time Tokyo time

Between 6:39 pm 7:39 pm 3:39 pm 2:39 pm 3:39 am

and 9:54 pm 10:54 am 6:54 pm 5:54 pm 6:54 am

on November 26, 2010 November 26, 2010 November 26, 2010 November 26, 2010 November 27, 2010

Configuration of Ariane payloadThe INTELSAT 17 satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral, inPalo Alto, California, for the operator Intelsat.

Orbital position: 66° East

The HYLAS 1 satellite was built by an industrial consortiumcomprising EADS Astrium (Stevenage and Portsmouth, UKfacilities) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),based in Bangalore, on behalf of the European operator AvantiCommunications.

Orbital position: 33,5° West

1. Mission profile


2. Range operations campaign:ARIANE 5 - INTELSAT 17 & HYLAS 1

Satellites and launch vehicle campaign calendar

Ariane activities Dates Satellites activities

Campaign start review September 17, 2010

EPC Erection September 17, 2010

EAP transfer and positionning September 18, 2010

Integration EPC/EAP September 20, 2010

ESC-A and VEB Erection September 22, 2010

October 12, 2010 Arrival in Kourou of HYLAS 1 and beginning of preparation campaign in building S1 B

October 25, 2010 Arrival in Kourou of INTELSAT 17 and beginning of preparation campaign in building S1 B

Roll-out from BIL to BAF November 5, 2010

November 8-10, 2010 HYLAS 1 filling operations

November 11-13, 2010 INTELSAT 17 filling operations

Satellites and launch vehicle campaign final calendar

J-11 Sunday, November 14 INTELSAT 17 integration on adaptor (ACU)

J-10 Monday, November 15 INTELSAT 17 transfer to Final Assembly Building (BAF) and HYLAS 1

integration on adaptor

J-9 Tuesday, November 16 INTELSAT 17 integration on Sylda

J-8 Wednesday, November 17 Fairing integration on Sylda - HYLAS 1 transfer to Final Assembly Building (BAF)

J-7 Thursday, November 18 HYLAS 1 integration on launcher

J-6 Friday, November 19 Upper composite integration with INTELSAT 17 on launcher

J-5 Saturday, November 20 ESC-A final preparations and payloads control

J-4 Monday, November 22 Launch rehearsal

J-3 Tuesday, November 23 Arming of launch vehicle

J-2 Wednesday, November 24 Arming of launch vehicle

Launch readiness review (RAL) and final preparation of launcher

J-1 Thursday, November 25 Roll-out from BAF to Launch Area (ZL), launch vehicle connections

and filling of the EPC liquid Helium sphere

J-0 Friday, November 26 Launch countdown including EPC and ESC-A filling with liquid

oxygen and liquid hydrogen


3. Launch countdown and flight events

The countdown comprises all final preparation steps for the launcher, the satellites and the launch site. If it proceeds as planned, the countdown leads to the ignition of the main stage engine, then the two boosters, for a liftoff at the targeted time, as early as possible in the satellites launch window. The countdown culminates in a synchronized sequence (see appendix 3), which is managed by the control station and onboard computers starting at T-7 minutes. If an interruption in the countdown means that T-0 falls outside the launch window, then the launch will be delayed by one, two or more days, depending on the problem involved, and the solution developed.

Time Events– 11 h 30 mn Start of final countdown– 7 h 30 mn Check of electrical systems– 4 h 50 mn Start of filling of main cryogenic stage with liquid oxygen and hydrogen– 3 h 20 mn Chilldown of Vulcain main stage engine– 1 h 10 mn Check of connections between launcher and telemetry, tracking and command systems

– 7 mn 00 s “All systems go” report, allowing start of synchronized sequence– 4 mn 00 s Tanks pressurized for flight– 1 mn 00 s Switch to onboard power mode- 05,5 s Command issued for opening of cryogenic arms– 04 s Onboard systems take over– 03 s Unlocking of guidance systems to flight mode

HO Ignition of the cryogenic main stage engine (EPC) ALT (km) V. rel. (m/s)+ 7,05 s Ignition of solid boosters 0 0+ 7,3 s Liftoff 0 0+ 12,5 s End of vertical climb and beginning of pitch rotation (10 seconds duration) 0.090 37.7+ 17 s Beginning of roll manoeuvre 0.347 77.1

+ 2 mn 20 s Jettisoning of solid boosters 67.1 1987+ 3 mn 9 s Jettisoning of fairing 106.8 2191+ 7 mn 48 s Acquisition by Natal tracking station 179.7 5495+ 8 mn 56 s Shut-down of main cryogenic stage 177.8 6897+ 9 mn 02 s Separation of main cryogenic stage 177.8 6924+ 9 mn 06 s Ignition of upper cryogenic stage (ESC-A) 177.8 6926+ 13 mn 27 s Acquisition by Ascension tracking station 187 7521+ 18 mn 19 s Acquisition by Libreville tracking station 213 8325+ 23 mn 07 s Acquisition by Malindi tracking station 469 9083+ 24 mn 51 s Shut-down of ESC-A / Injection 649.3 9357.8+ 27 mn 29 s Separation of INTELSAT 17 satellite 1044 9030+ 29 mn 46 s Separation of Sylda 5 1466 8706+ 34 mn 51 s Separation of HYLAS 1 satellite 2596.7 7945+ 49 mn 40 s End of Arianespace Flight mission 6354.2 6105


The launcher’s attitude and trajectory are totally controlled by the two onboard computers, located in theAriane 5 vehicle equipment bay (VEB).7.05 seconds after ignition of the main stage cryogenic engine at T-0, the two solid-propellant boosters areignited, enabling liftoff. The launcher first climbs vertically for 6 seconds, then rotates towards the East. Itmaintains an attitude that ensures the axis of the launcher remains parallel to its velocity vector, in order tominimize aerodynamic loads throughout the entire atmospheric phase, until the solid boosters are jettisoned.Once this first part of the flight is completed, the onboard computers optimize the trajectory in real time,minimizing propellant consumption to bring the launcher first to the intermediate orbit targeted at the end of the main stage propulsion phase, and then the final orbit at the end of the flight of the cryogenic upper stage.The main stage falls back off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean (in the Gulf of Guinea).

On orbital injection, the launcher will have attained a velocity of approximately 9358 meters/second, and willbe at an altitude of about 650 kilometers.The fairing protecting the INTELSAT 17 and HYLAS 1 spacecraft is jettisoned shortly after the boosters arejettisoned at about T+189 seconds.

Standard Ariane 5 trajectory for geostationary transfer orbit

4. Flight trajectory of INTELSAT 17 & HYLAS 1


5. The Ariane 5-ECA (Industrial prime contractor: ASTRIUM SpaceTransportation)

50.5 m

Fairings (RUAG Space)• 17 m• Mass: 2.6 t

SYLDA - Internal structure(ASTRIUM Space Transportation)• 7 versions (height: 4.9 to 6.4 m• 400 to 530 kg

ACU - Payload adapters (2)(RUAG Space or EADS Casa)• 160 kg each approx.

Vehicule equipment bay(ASTRIUM SpaceTransportation)• Height: 1.13 m• Mass: 950 kg• Flight control system, safety, etc

HM-7B (Snecma)• Thrust: 67 kN max (in the vacuum)• 945 sec of propulsion

P240

H173

H14,6

Propellants (in ton)at H 0

H: CryogenicP: Solid

EAP - Solid Rocket boosters(ASTRIUM Space Transportation)

• Height: 31.6 m• Mass: 278 t approx...

MPS - Solid Rocket motor(Europropulsion)

• Average thrust: 5060 kN• Maximum thrust: 7080 kN max (in

the vacuum)• 130 sec of propulsion

ESC-A - Cryogenic upper stage(ASTRIUM Space Transportation)• Height: 4.71 m• Mass: 19 t

EPC - Main cryogenic stage(ASTRIUM Space Transportation)

• 31 m long• Mass: 188.3 t

Vulcain 2 Engine (Snecma)• Thrust 1390 kN• 540 sec of propulsion

780 tonstotal mass at lift-off

13.000 kN at Lift-off(at H0 + 7 to 8 sec)


6. The INTELSAT 17 satellite

Customer INTELSAT

Prime contractor SPACE SYSTEMS LORAL

Mission Telecommunications satellite

Mass Total mass at lift-off 5 540 kg

Dry mass 2 393 kg

Stabilization 3 axis stabilized

Dimensions 7.7 x 2.7 x 3.4 m

Span in orbit 26.1 m

Platform LS 1300 OMEGA BUS

Payload 25 Ku-band transponders and 24 C-band transponders

On-board power 12.4 kW (end of life)

Life time 18 years

Orbital position 66° East

Coverage area Europe, Africa, Middle East, India

Press Contact

Nick MITSISINTELSATSenior Manager - Corporate CommunicationsTel:+ (1) 202 944 7044Email : [email protected]


7. The HYLAS 1 satellite

Customer AVANTI Communications

Prime contractor ASTRIUM and ISRO

Mission Broadband services

Mass Total mass at lift-off 2 570 kg

Dry mass 1 125 kg

Stabilization 3 axis stabilized

Dimensions 2.5 x 1.6 x 1.5 m

Span in orbit 36 m

Platform I-2 K Bus

Payload 8 Ka-band transponders and 2 Ku-band transponders

On-board power 3200 W (end of life)

Life time 15 years

Orbital position 33.5° West

Coverage area Europe

Press Contact

Simon BARRETTHead of MarketingAvanti Communications Group plcTel: +44 (0) 20 7749 1600Email: [email protected]


Appendix 1. Arianespace INTELSAT 17 & HYLAS 1 launch key personnel

In charge of the launch campaignMission Director (CM) Thierry WILMART ARIANESPACEIn charge of the launch service contractProgram Director INTELSAT 17 (CP1) Luca CHIECCHO ARIANESPACEProgram Director HYLAS 1 (CP2) Christophe BARDOU ARIANESPACEIn charge of INTELSAT 17 satelliteSatellite Mission Director (DMS) Todd SCHILB INTELSATSatellite Program Manager (CPS) Grant GOULD SSLSatellite Preparation Manager (RPS) Frank BRYAN SSLIn charge of HYLAS 1 satelliteSatellite Mission Director (DMS) J. COOKE AVANTISatellite Program Manager (CPS) Michel BAROUD ASTRIUMSatellite Program Manager (CPS) Y.K. SINGHAL ISROSatellite Preparation Manager (RPS) S. SUNDARAM ISROIn charge of the launch vehicleLaunch Site Operations Manager (COEL) André SICART ARIANESPACEAriane Production Project Manager (CPAP) Didier AUBIN ARIANESPACELauncher Production Quality Manager (RQLP) Maël MATTOX ARIANESPACELaunch Campaign Quality Manager (CQCL) Véronique DELON ARIANESPACEIn charge of the Guiana Space Center (CSG)Range Operations Manager (DDO) Bruno GILLES CNES/CSGRange Operations Deputy (DDO/A) Thierry VALLEE CNES/CSG

Appendix 2. Launch environment conditionsAcceptable wind speed limits at lift-off range from between 7.5 m/s to 9.5 m/s according to the wind direction.The most critical is a northerly wind. For safety reasons, the wind’s speed on the ground (Kourou), and at a highaltitude (between 10,000 and 20,000 m) is also taken into account.

Appendix 3. The synchronized sequenceThe synchronized sequence starts 7 mn beforre ignition (T-0), it is primarily designed to perform the finaloperations on the launcher prior to launch, along with the ultimate checks needed following switchover toflight configuration. As its name indicates, it is fully automatic, and is performed concurrently by the onboardcomputer and by two reduntant computers at the ELA 3 launch complex until T-4 seconds.The computers command the final electrical operations (startup of the flight program, servocontrols, switchingfrom ground power supply to onboard batteries, etc.) and associated checks. They also place the propellant andfluid systems in flight configuration and perform associated checks. In addition, it handles the final groundsystem configurations, namely:

• Startup of water injection in the flame trenches and jet guide (T-30 sec).• Hydrogen aspiration for chilldown of the Vulcain engine in the jet guide (T-18 sec).• Burnoff of hydrogen used for chilldown (T-5.5 sec).

At T-4 seconds, the onboard computer takes over control of final engine startup and lift-off operations:• It starts the ignition sequence for the Vulcain main stage engine (T-0).• It checks engine operation (from T+4.5 to T+7.3 sec).• It commands ignition of the solid boosters for immediate lift-off at T+7.3 seconds.

Any shutdown of the synchronized sequence after T-7 mn automatically places the launcher back in itsT-7 min configuration.


Arianespace was founded in 1980 as the world’s first launch Service & Solutions company. Today, Arianespace has 24shareholders from ten European countries (including French space agency CNES with 34%, EADS with 30%, and all Europeancompanies participating in the construction of Ariane launchers). Since the outset, Arianespace has signed more than 300 launch contracts and launched 285 satellites. More than two-thirdsof the commercial satellites now in service worldwide were launched by Arianespace. The company posted sales of 1046 million euros in 2009. At January 1, 2010, Arianespace had 323 employees, working at the company’s headquarters in Evry (near Paris), the GuianaSpace Center in French Guiana, where the Ariane, Soyuz and Vega launch pads are located, and offices in Washington, D.C.,Tokyo and Singapore. Arianespace offers launch Service & Solutions to satellite operators from around the world, including private companies andgovernment agencies. These Service & Solutions call on three launch vehicles: • The Ariane 5 heavy launcher, operated from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. • The Soyuz medium launcher. Currently in operation at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan under the responsibility

of Starsem, a Euro-Russian subsidiary of Arianespace, it will be launched from the Guiana Space Center starting in 2011. • The Vega light launcher, to be launched from the Guiana Space Center starting in 2011.Arianespace has also signed a mutual backup agreement with Boeing Launch Services and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,through an entity called the Launch Services Alliance. This arrangement guarantees that customers’ payloads will be launchedin case the chosen launcher is unavailable for technical reasons.With its family of launchers and this backup agreement, Arianespace won over half of the commercial launch contracts upfor bid worldwide in the last two years. Arianespace now has a backlog of more than 40 satellites to be launched.

The Guiana Space Center: Europe’s SpaceportFor over 30 years, the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, has offered a complete array offacilities for rocket launches.It mainly comprises the following:• CNES/CSG technical center, including various resources and facilities that are critical to launch base operations, such asradars, telecom network, weather station, receiving sites for launcher telemetry, etc.• Payload processing facilities (ECPU), in particular the S5 facility.• Ariane launch complexes (ELA), comprising the launch zone and launcher integration buildings.• Various industrial facilities, including those operated by Regulus, Europropulsion, Air Liquide Spacial Guyane and EADS,

which contribute to the production of Ariane 5 elements. A total of 40 European manufacturers and local companies areinvolved in operations.

The Guiana Space Center is preparing to welcome two new launch vehicles, Soyuz and Vega. The Soyuz launch complex (ELS)and the Vega launch complex (SLV) are now under construction.Europe’s commitment to independent access to space is based on actions by three key players: the European Space Agency(ESA), French space agency CNES and Arianespace.ESA has helped change the role of the Guiana Space Center, in particular by funding the construction of the launch complexes,payload processing buildings and associated facilities. Initially used for the French space program, the Guiana Space Centerhas gradually become Europe’s own spaceport, according to the terms of an agreement between ESA and the frenchgovernment.To ensure that the Spaceport is available for its programs, ESA takes charge of the lion’s share of CNES/CSG fixed expenses,and also helps finance the fixed costs for the ELA launch complexes.French space agency CNES plays several roles at the Space Center.• It designs all infrastructures and, on behalf of the French government, is responsible for safety and security.• It provides the resources needed to prepare the satellites and launcher for missions.Whether during tests or actual launches, CNES is also responsible for overall coordination of operations. It collects andprocesses all data transmitted from the launcher via a network of receiving stations, to track Ariane rockets throughout theirtrajectory.In French Guiana, Arianespace is the contracting authority in charge of operating the family of three launchers, Ariane, Soyuzand Vega.Arianespace supervises the integration and functional checks of the Ariane launcher, built by EADS Astrium as productionprime contractor, in the Launcher Integration Building (BIL). It then carries out acceptance tests of the launcher at the sametime as satellite preparations in the Payload Preparation Complex (EPCU), operated by the Guiana Space Center (CSG).Arianespace next oversees final assembly of the launcher and integration of satellites in the Final Assembly Building (BAF),followed by transfer of the launcher to Launch Zone No. 3 (ZL3), and then final countdown and liftoff from Launch ComplexNo. 3 (CDL3). Arianespace has created a top-flight team and array of technical resources to get launchers and satellites ready for theirmissions. Building on this unrivalled expertise and outstanding local facilities, Arianespace is now the undisputed benchmarkin the global launch services market.

Appendix 4. Arianespace and the Guiana Space Center

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